Krijt, Samuel Jacob.

Described in the archive of the Governmental Seaman’s Agency in Dordrecht( established for

engagement / signing off ships crews) in 1866 as being 1.68 meters high with light blond hair, blue eyes and being in good health.

On 23 June 1866 he is 3rd Officer on the medium size Clipper Kosmopliet 1 (Company Gbr. Blusse van Oud Alblas, Dordrecht, Capt. Jurgen de Groot pennant D89) and engaged for a voyage to Batavia

The medium size clipper Kosmopoliet 1. Here illustrated being under command of its first captain. (c) These sort of ships were in service between Dordrecht (Netherlands) and Batavia (Dutch East Indies) and could carry, apart from cargo, a large number of passengers and troops. A round trip could last up to a year and 2 year round trips were not unusual.

He seemed to have remained with this ship and or the company as on 16 Aug. 1870 he is 1st mate on the same ship for a voyage to Batavia (Now Captain Hendrik Dienske D 7)

From 07 July 1871 until 1874 he still is with the same ship as First Mate. (Capt. Teunis Huizer pennent D 13) (b)

An interesting coincidence is that the Master on the clipper Kosmopoliet 2 was Captain Chevalier who also joined Holland America in 1877 so they must have come over together.

Then he joined NASM in July 1877

Sailing Date: Function Ship Wages

20 Jul. 1877 2nd officer Maas 60,–

08 Apr. 1878 First officer Rotterdam 90,–

?? Dec. 1878 First officer P. Caland 100,–

02 Jun. 1882 Captain Rotterdam 200,—

The ss Rotterdam I stranded on 26 Sep. 1883 and the ship was declared a Totall Loss.

As Holland America did not have a replacement command, Captain Krijt left the company.

?? Oct. 1883 Dismissed.

(Please that dismissed in 1880’s meant voyage completed not working for the company until the next voyage starts. In those days crews were not paid, when not sailing) (a)

It seems that he did not return to sea but became a Teacher at the Nautical School at Scheveningen and was later the Director of the School. Retired in 1910 and passed away on 9 Dec. 1921. He was married with Johanna Wilhelmina Kippel ( 22 Jan. 1829 – 15 Nov. 1895) There were 5 children.

He was noted in 1888 to be part of the Committee for organising the festivities for celebrating that 75 years ago (30 Nov. 1813) Prins Willem Fredrik, later King Willem I landed at Scheveningen to restore the Dutch Monarchy after the occupation by Napoleon.

September 2016: (a) extract of “stamboek” HAL archives as held by the Muncipal Archives in Rotterdam

(b) February 2020:

I have added some updates provided by Mr. J.F Krijt which is the Great Grandson (*) of the Captain for which my thanks. These pertain to the period before joining HAL and after leaving. The first son of Captain Krijt also a Samuel did not go to sea, but his son did, and also his great grandson.

(c) February 2020: picture of the Kosmopoliet 1 found on the website: https://blokland.dordtenazoeker.nl/deel1_13.htm